Automatic telephone system



Oct. 18, 1932. H. M. FRIENDLY AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM 'Filed May 14. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 18, 1932. H. M. FRIENDLY 1,883,679

AUTOMATI C TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed nay 14 1930 2 sheets-sheet 2 JK) T3 Cr 5T; z'; N S5 N umu n ses f i "l n s.

' I E l 2 4 E Ilwennr- Patented Oct. 18, 1932 PATENT CFFICE HERBERT M. FRIENDLY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS;

REPUBLIC BANK .AND TRUST COMPANY,

FRIENDLY, DECEASED MILTON S. FRIENDLY AND CENTRAL EXECUTORS 0F SAID HERBERT M.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM Application med May 14,

An object of the present invention is to provide a selector of the Strowger general class having a single set of wipers used commonly for all connections and operated on the so-termed two-wire principle which will have direct access to two different numerical ranks of selectors. That is to say, the first numerical switch has direct access to second selectors and third selectors in a system employing a uniform numbering arrangement and having, for example, five digits for the telephone numbers.

The system chosen to illustrate the present invention is one having an ultimate capacity of ten offices of corresponding ten-thousand blocks of subscriber numbers and is commonly termed a 100,000 system. The first numerical switch functions as a first selector for calls to remotely located offices and as a secn ond selector for local calls wherein the calling and called lines are tributary to the same ten-thousand block or office.

l am aware that so-termed drop-back selectors have heretofore been employed for this general purpose, as exemplified in my applications Ser. No. 171,637, filed May 29, 1917; Ser. No. 362.321, filed March 1, 1920; Ser. No. 4181.259, filed June 29, 1921; Ser. No. 733,460, filed August 22, 1924, issued as patent No.

" 1,711,311, March 30, 1929. However, it will appear presently that the selector Y of the present invention does not have the dropback function nor the wiper-switching function. Moreover, there are additional operative features incorporated in the present invention not contemplated in the systems heretofore invented, so far as I am aware.

lilith reference to the accompanying two sheets of drawings Fig. 1 shows a calling line and its individuel line switch in common access to the first numerical switch, selector Y of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows the information Operators switchboard Z and the arrangement of selectors and connectors for extending calls from the first numerical switch selector Y.

Equipment The telephones T, T2 and T may be Well 1930. Serial No. 452,282.

known automatic telephones of any suitable type.

The selector Y is generally like the Well known so-termed Powell selector illustrated Fig. (33 of the Fourth Edition of the book by Hershey, Automatic Telephone Practice. However, an additional relay F is introduced, and a number of circuit changes are introduced in carrying out the present in- Vention.

The information operators position has a trunk terminating` equipment Z and a suitable or well known answering switching cord-pair for extending connections.

The selectors G, H and J may be of the said Powell type. Selector G is an incoming second selector; selectors H and J are local third selectors.

'l' he connectors L and K may be any suitable well known type, such, for example, as shown in Fig. b2 of the said book by Hershey.

The line switch LS may be any suitable well known type of rotary or other class of line switch, as for example, as shown in the said Hershey book, or a line finder switch may be employed, such as is Well known, since the ofiice of the line switch LS is merely to extend the calling telephone to an idle selector Y when a call is initiated on the calling line.

General operai/0n It will appear presently that the selector Y of the present invention has a plurality of trunk levels, any of which may be selected and a trunk therein selected responsive to sending the first digit, if the digit refers to a telephone in a remotely located oiice or ten-thousand block of the system, the trunk thus selected being a so-termed inter-office trunk leading to an incoming second selector as G.

In case the said first digit refers to a telephone directly tributary to the office containing selector Y or to a satelite of said office, the shaft of the selector Y will operate in a different manner, as will appear. In yhe exampled instance, the selector Y is assumed located in the 2 ofiiee or ten-thousand block, and therefore, if the first digit is 2, the wipers will become aligned with the 27 level.

The shaft cup a will thus operate the spring-set responsive to sending the iii-st digit 2, whereupon the relay F will actuate and lock, causing the shaft to automatically step up to the level L by interrupter action, in readiness to operate responsive to the series corresponding to the second digit, to further step the wipers into alignment with the corresponding level of local trunks leading to a third selector as J. yl`hc selector J and the connector K correspond to the last three digits to select the called line leading to telephone T2.

It will bc understood that the selector Y may have nine lower levelsl ot inter-o'llice trunks and a home ollice level corresponding to the usual ten linger-holds ot the calling device. Also, that it may have ten upper levels ot local trunks above these and corresponding to the usual ten 'linger-holds ot the calling device. lVhen an inter-ottico trunk is to be selected, the selector Y will `operate like the Powell selector responsive to one pull ot the dial, and the call will be extended from the selector Y to an incoming second selector as G, in a remotely located otlice. When the call a local one, to a 'telephone directly tributary to the same othce to which the calling telephone is tributary, one of the upper sets in the ten levels ot terminals for local trunks to selectors as .l will be employed.

In this connection, it will be pointed out that in some cases the ultimate capacity of the exchange would not probably require more than possibly tour ollices or ten-thousand blocks, and in that event, only tour levels corresponding to the said ollices would be provided, in order to save iirst cost and to insure that the minimum of level-hunting will be required for local calls, since it will be remembered that when the home level is called, the wipers are immediately automatically stepped further up into alignment with the L level. in readiness to be then stepped further up into alignment with the desired local level directively responsive to the second digit series.

It will be noted that the drawings illustrate such a curtailed arrangement as last mentioned, and in this instance there is an additional level ll having bank terminals intermediate ot the two groups or sets of levels corresponding to inter-otiice and local trunks, and of course, the L level position (which need not have bank terminals therefor) used in all eases of local calls. There are no trunks leadingl out trom this level and the wipers do not rotate-in on this level.

It will appear presently that tue object ot the N level, corresponding to the information operator, is in the event that the calling party tirst sends a series that steps the wipers above the inter-ollice trunk levels, and were not some means provided to prevent it, might select a local selector as J and thus make it possible to call a wronfT telephone. lt a series is sent that will step the wipers above the inter-ollice trunk levels, the wipers will stop aligned with the terminals et the N level, because the vertical magnet will be disabled by the operation ot the spring-set c, the wipers thereupon rotating-in and extending the call to the tirst idle trunk to the irtormation operators equipment Z.

Data/Zed operation Having outlined the general operation of the system, its detailed operation will be explained by assuming certain calls and operations.

vVhen the party at telephone T removes his receiver' from the switch-hook to initiate a call, the line switch LS will operate to extend the connection to the selector Y, the relay A energizing in series with the telephone T. The slow-releasing relay B will then operatively energize in a local circuit of relay A. The upper armature 11 of relay B will ground the release trunk conductor 12, sustaining the line switch LS.

Uallag telephone T3 It will now be assumed `that the telephone T3 is under call. The telephone number ot telephone 'lf3 is 33121. Responsive to operating the calling device in accordance with first digit S, the relay A will retract its armature 13 three times, applying a ground impulse through armatures 14, l5, spring-set c, winding ot slow-releasing series relay C to the vertical magnet. The vertical magnet will thus step the wipers 16 to 18 into alignment with the 3 level, the relay C which attracted its armature responsive to the first impulse then retracts following the last (third) impulse, consistent with its slow-releasing period. It is noted, in this connection/that when the armature ot relay C attracted, it applied ground from conductor 12, conductoi 20, oil-normal springs to the winding ot interrupter relay E, the latter said relay actuating. The relay E in actuating closes a locking` circuit for itselt including the conductor 20, armature ot the rotary magnet, make-before-break spring 22, attracted armature to ground. YV en the armature on relay C retracts, ground from conductor 12 is applied through armature 2l, spring-sets and (Z springs, armature to the winning of the rotary magnet, the rotary magnet operating to step the wipers 1G to 18 onto the first set of bank terminals 2T to 29 ot the 3 level.

lt' it is assumed that the trunk corresponding to the lirst set ot bank terminals ot the 3 level which extends to incoming second selector G is busy because of being in use from some other selector of the group containing (ifi in Fig. 75 of t-he i minal of relay D, and when the armature of the rotary magnet retracts, this ground received through wiper 16 will pass thro-ugh the armature of the rotary magnet, conductor 20, oit-normal springs to the winding J of relay E, causing the latter said relay to reactuate and lock as before, ground from conductor 12 thereupon passing through the armature of relay C, armature 24 and over the before traced path to the winding of the rotary magnet, causing the wipers to be stepped to the next bank position. It is noted, in this connection, that the wiper 16 steps to the next bank terminal before the armature 23 retracts, so that there will be no lapse of ground on the upper winding terminal of relay D in the event that the said next bank terminal constitutes busy ground. The operation of the rotary magnet will successively continue until the wiper 16 fails to `vfind busy ground, at which time there will be no ground to reenergize the relay E and the ground will not then exist on the upper winding terminal of relay D, the winding of relays D and E being then in series. Re-

lay D will actuate under this condition and apply ground from conductor 12 through armature to wiper 16 and its engaged bank terminal to make said terminal busy, but relay E will not actuate, due to its marginal adjustment. The line relay in the selector G will energize in the well known manner, preparing the selector G for receiving the three impulses constituting the second digit 3. The line relay in the well known or suitable repeater R has its windings in series with the telephone T, and its armature closes a secondary circuit involving the inter-oliice trunk to the line relay of the selector G. A repeater which may be used at R is shown before mentioned Hershey book. The relays A and B are now deenergized and the release trunk 12 receives ground from the repeater R. The calling partyr can now annex the last four digits 3-1-2-1 to operate the selectors G and H and the connector I, in the well known manner, responsive to the dial at telephone T, the line relay in the repeater R will correspondingly operate. When the party at telephone T3 answers, the direction of current will be reversed back through the telephone known.

from the repeater R T, for objects well Ualng party abandons call If the calling party now hangs up his receiver to abandon the call, the line relay in the repeater R will thereupon become deenergized. and this will remove theI ground from the release trunk 12, causing the line switch LS to restore and the relay D to deactuate. The latter will cause a circuit to be closed from ground on armature 13, armatures 14 and 15 and the oE-normal springs to the release magnet, restoring the wipers of selector Y to normal position, subject to new use from the line switch LS, or some other line switch having common access to the selector Y. The switches G, H and I will restore in the well known manner responsive to the restoration of the selector Y.

@all to telephone T2 Let it now be assumed that after the call was initiated and the calling line extended into connection with the selector Y, the telephone T2, the number of which is 25231 was under call. The telephone T2 is tributary to the same otlice as telephone T, so that no inter-oilice trunk is required to extend the connection.

The selector Y will operate responsive to the irst digit 2, as when it operated responsive to the iirst digit 3 before detailed, excepting that in the present instance there are no trunks connected to the 2 level, and the further fact that the spring-set b is operated by the cup a on the top of the wiper shaft. It will be noted that this operation of the springset forthwith opens the path to the winding of the rotary magnet by iiexing spring 31 from its resting contact to its make contact, the latter preparing a path from the winding of relay F to the make contact of armature 24, so that when the armature on relay C retracts, the winding of relay F will be grounded through spring 32 to conductor 12. It will be noted that the conductor leading to the ro-tary magnet winding is opened at attracted armature 25, and that a circuit path` can now be traced from the make contact of armature 24, attracted armature 35 to the winding of the vertical magnet. The resting contact of the armature of the rotary magnet is disconnected from the make-before-break spring 22, and also the resting contact of the armature on the vertical magnet is applied through the make-before-break spring 22 to armature 23. The armature of relay C being retracted, ground applied through it from conductor 12 is energizing the vertical magnet. Ground is also applied through armature 36 to the conductor leading to wiper 16.

When the vertical magnet attracts its armature in stepping the shaft vertically it unlocks the. relay E which became locked responsive to the first impulse applied from armature 13 to the vertical magnet. The vertical magnet then unlocks t-he relay E, and when the armature of the vertical magnet retracts because the armature 24 retracted, ground applied from conductor 12, armatures 36, 30, make-before-break spring 22, armature of the vertical magnet to conductor 20 causes relay E to again actuate and lock and the g' the L level, which latter said level has no trunks leading therefrom, being as it were an upper normal level with respect to the local trunks, the spring-set d operated by the cup a. It Will be noted that the right-hand ipair of these springs, when operating unlocks the relay F, and the left-hand pair of these springs at the same time opens the path to the winding of the rotary magnet, and the armature now retracts. The retraction of armature 35 opens the path to the winding of the vertical magnet, so that the shaft will not be raised further at this time by the automatic interrupter action.

It will be here noted that the interrul'iter wi relay E performed the same function in the automatic operation of the vertical magnet as it did when automatically operating the rotary magnet, the relay F andthe spring-set Z; serving to shift the control agency of the relay E from the rotary magnet to the vertical magnet.

vWith the wipers now aligned with the L level, it is noted that the rotary magnet is disabled at the left-hand pair of spring-set d,

-' and that the vertical magnet is in condition to be operated only from armature 13 in the manner as when the first digit 2 was sent. Moreover, ground will be applied from conductor 12 through the right-hand spring of the set d through its resting contact to the conductor leading to wiper 16, and this ground serves to ie-energise and lock the relay E in order to maintain ground applied through armature 23 on the upper terminal of the winding relay D, so that the latter said relay will not energize in series with the winding of relay E and the lower pair of ofi-normal springs.

The selector Y is now in condition to receive the second series of five impulses corresponding to digit The relay A will respond to these live impulses and send corresponding ground impulses from the armature 13 of relay A. to the vertical magnet over the same path when the first digit 2 was sent, causing the wipers 16 to 18 to become aligned with the 5 level counting up starting with level L, and which 5 level has trun rs corresponding to third selectors as J.

It is noted here, that at the time the wipers 16 to 18 are moved up from the L level, the spring-set l is restored to its normal condition, so that the ground applied through the right-hand spring of the set (l is removed from the conductor leading to the Wiper 16.

It is to be noted that the armature of relay C will at this time apply ground to the winding of relay E, but to no operative purpose, since the relay E is locked and will remain so until the relay C retracts its armature 'at the termination of the series of five impulses for the digit being sent. This is having in mind that the rotary magnet winding circuit is open at the left-hand pair of springs of the set d only while the wipers 16 to 18 are aligned with the L level. It will also be pointed out that at the time the shaft was being raised by automatic interrupter action to the L level, at only the time it passed the N level, one vertical step below the L level, that the spring-set c is in its operated position, so that the path from the make contact of armature 15 to the winding of relay C is opened, but to no operative effect at this time, since the vertical magnet is being automatically operated over the conductor leading from armature 35.

Returning to the condition at the time the wipers 1G to 18 are `aligned with the 5 level responsive to the second digit 5. The relay ll is locked, so that when the armature of relay C retracts, it will apply ground through armature 24 to the winding of the rotary magnet, causing the wipers to be stepped in to the first set of bank terminals. The operation of the selector Y is now identical with that described when it was assumed first operated into alignment with the 3 level in calling telephone 33121, so it is not thought necessary to again detail the automatic rotary movement in selecting and seizing the first idle trunk leading to local third selector J, the relay D actuating and the release trunk 1Q obtaining ground from the release trunk leading back from selector J. The further extension of the call through the selector J and the connector K to the called line leading;` to telephone T2 will be fully understood in view of foregoing statements, and need not be specifically detailed.

The switches will be released in the manner before described responsive to the calling party replacing his receiver. The spring-sets d, c and b will be successively operated by the cup a when the shaft restores, but this will be to no operative effect.

Calling wrong number It will now be assumed that the selector Y has 4 oiiice levels 1, 2, 3 and il, wherein the 2 level has no trunks, being the home ofiice or critical level, and that the N level is positioned one step above the 4 level, and that the L level is positioned one step above the N level. That is, the N and L levels correspond in position to the 5 and 6 levels, counting from normal resting position of the wipers, although there is no necessity of having any bank terminals corresponding to the L or 6 level position, as there is no prolll) vision for rotating the shaft at this point. Of course, more oiiice levels may be employed, up to the capacity of the calling device at the telephone T, and if this capacity is the usual 10, there would be this ten levels for intereofiice trunks, including the home level 2, 'and in addition the N and L levels immediatelj.v above the office levels.

Under the assumed condition that there are but four oliice levels including the level referring to the oftice containing the concerned selector Y, let it be assumed that the calling party through error sends a digit having a greater value than 4, which 4 is the number of levels provided for offices of the system. It will then be assumed that this erroneous digit is 7, caused perhaps by the calling party leaving off the first digit wherein the second digit of the number under call is 7.

It is clear, that under the last above assumed condition, were some means not provided to guard the local levels above the level L, the wipers would be aligned with the 1 local level and there rotate in and select a trunk to a third selector of the local level 1, the succeeding three digits serving to progress the call to a different telephone number than was contemplated, and moreover different from that indexed by the dial operations.

'To obviate the last referred to condition ensuing, the spring-set c is provided, which operates when the wipers are aligned with the N level, and this opens the path to the winding of relay C, so that the wipers are dis abled from being directively stepped above this N level responsive to the dial, when starting from the absolute normal or idle resting position of the wi pers. l/Vhen the last impulse of the series has been Asent through the winding of relay C (having in mind that there will be two more impulses sent non-effective to relay C), the armature of relay C will retract consistent with its characteristic, following the fifth impulse, causing the ground to be applied through the armature 24 to the winding of the rotary magnet, since relay E actuated and locked responsive to the first impulse of the series of 7 assumed sent. The wipers will then rotate in at the N level and select the first idle trunk leading to the information operators equipment Z, by automatic selective operation, in the manner as before described when the wipers are assumed operated responsive to digit 3 to the 3 level. Then the selector Y seizes the trunk responsive to the relay D energizing in series with the winding of relay E, the line relay 40 will operate responsive to any succeeding digits annexed and flash lamp 4l and energize relay 42, and this lamp 41 will glow steady at the termination of the impulses. The operator may then insert an answering plug Q and by reason of the spring' 45 flexing, the relay 46 will operatively energize to extinguish the lamp 41.

The slow-releasing relay 412 sustains over the retractions of the armature of relay 40 and by its armature applies ground back to the private wiper 16 and the release trunk l2, until the calling party restores his receiver and thereby deenergizes the relay 40 to remove the ground from the release trunk, causing the selector Y to restore. The operator, from the flashing of the lamp, will know that the calling party has not finished calling and may therefore await until he has, before responding by inserting the switching plug into the jack R.

In the forccjoinfr. it has been assumed that there were four oliice levels and ten local trunk levels located above the L level. It is pointed out that the drawings show but two office level 'l'hat is, the home or critical level 2 and the 3 inter-office trunk level. Only the 5 level for the local trunks is shown in the drawings. T he omission of the levels not shown has been to avoid involving the drawings unduly. It is thus clear that in the said assumed arrangement there would be a 1 level of inter-office trunks below the 2, and a 4- level of inter-office trunks immediately above the Sl level. llhen there would be 1, 2, 3 and 4 local trunk levels in their proper numerical order intermediate of the L level and the 5 level, as well as the levels 6 to 0 above the 5 level.

1t will be understood that there may be ten office levels 1 to 0 below the N level, so that under the condition, there would be ten cfiice levels corresponding to ten ten-thousand blocks of subscribers lines, and ten local trunk levels leading to third selectors for the home omce block of subscribers lines. Under the latter arrangement, having the ten office levels, as pointed out before, there would be no requirement for the N level.

ln commercial systems there are many outlying offices where there is no necessity of looking to the ultimate ten-thousand line caiacitv thereof, there being not more than one or two thousand lines installed, with a reasonable probability of not more than one or two additional thousand lines within a reasonable number of years. Moreover, the systern may not involve more than three otlices, with a reasonable probability of possibly not more than one additional office. That is to say, the assumed outlying office would not rcouire provision for more than four office and four groups of third selector trun rlhe N and L levels would be required, ten levels in all. lt is noted making that under this condition the curtailed officos nr v employ a ten-level first selector of i ent invention and thereby obviate the local second selectors. At such time as a l fer capacity required, the banks of the s sectors can be changed to larger capacity ones, the switch proper remaining the same before.

lil() It is also noted, in this latter connection, that in the full capacity offices having tenthousand lines, there would be requirement for only the same number of levels for offices as in the curtailed ofiices of the system. And it will be also noted that where a margin in office levels is provided, the wipers may be set up on the shaft so that any dead levels will be at the bottom; this to hold the automatic stepping up of the shaft to as few levels as possible. In this case, the normal idle position of the wipers would be above the lowermost bank level, and the uppermost level used for ofiices would be immediately under the N level.

It will be understood that the position occupied by the spring-sets b, c and (Z will depend upon the condition under which the switch is used, as among the various efliccs of the system, the spring-set l) operating at the originating office level position.

It is further pointed out that where the first numerical switch of the present invention is employed and there are less than ten oflice levels below the N level. calls to special operator, as Long Distance, may be made responsive to calling digit O or any digit higher than the number of levels. lv'hen this digit is called the N level will be selected over and may therefore refer to this special operator. This, however, will have the disadvantage ot intercepting all faulty calls wherein the first digit is large enough to reach the N level.

It is noted that the trunk to the equipment Z normally has a tone from source M on it and this tone is cut ofi" when the operator answers. In many instances the calling party noting this tone will immediately hang up without sending further digits.

1. In a telephone system, means including a plurality of serially rel ated directively controlled automatic switches for connecting a callingand a called subscribers line, a different and lesser plurality of similar switches for connecting the said calling line with another called line, a uniform numbering system in which all the said subscribers have the same number of digits in their telephone numbers, and means for automatically operating one of the switches used in calling the said second called line in a cumulative vertical movement after such switch is first operated in order to cancel one of the digits of the number.

2. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, a first selector, means including said first selector, a second selector and a connector directively controllable by the subscriber on said line for connecting with the second line, means including said first selector, another second selector, a third selector, and another connector similarly controlled for connecting with a third line, telephone numbers for said second and third lines having the same number of digits, and means for automatically operating said first selector in a cumulative movement from the point to which it was directively operated in accordance with a digit of a telephone number being called by the subscriber of said subscribers line in order to cancel the last said digit of the telephone number of the line being called.

3. In an automatic telephone system, an automatic selective switch, a first group of levels of said switch having line terminals extending to automatic switches of a first numerical rank, a second group of levels of said switch having line terminals extending to automatic switches of a second numerical rank, means for directively operating the switch to select a line of said first numerical rank by a single directive movement, and means for directively operating the switch to select a line ofl said second numerical order responsive to only a plurality of directed movements, wherein the switch will operate only in cumulative movements in effecting last said selection.

et. In an automatic telephone system, an automatic selective switch, levels of said switch having line terminals extending to different numerical ranks of automatic switches, means for operating said switch for selecting a, said line of one rank by a single directive operation, means for operating the switch for selecting a line of another rank by two successive directive operations, and means whereby regardless of to which rank the trunk selected belongs, the switch will operate in only cumulative movements.

5. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, a plurality of called lines each having a numerical designation in the system expressed by the same number of digits, automatic switches directively operated in accordance with impulses corresponding to the digits designating a random one of the called lines for extending connections one at a time from the calling line to the line under call via a first one of said switches employed common to said connections, means in last said switch for causing it to operate from normal resting position only in cumulative movements to extend connection from the calling line to the next succeeding one of said switches, and means in said first one of said switches for determining whether one or a plurality of the digits designating the line under call will be required to cause the switch to extend the call to the next succeeding one of said switches in the direction of the line under call, responsive to first operating the switch in accordance with the first digit of the designation of the line under call.

G. In an automatic telephone system, a selective switch having two banks of line terminals, each said bank belonging to a different numerical order rank, a set of wipers of the switch common to said banks, called lines designated by numbers con'iprising the same number oi numerals accessible via said banks, switches for linking connection from the set ot wipers of the selective switch to a desired called line, there being a different number of switches for linking the connection from the selective switch to the desired called line, the number of switches depending upon the said bank employed, and means for causing the wipers to be automatically set with respect to the bank involving the use of the smaller number of switc ies in extending the connection to the line called responsive to setting the wipers with respect to the other said bank, the said automatic setting depending upon the operation of the selective switch being in accordance with the designation oi a called line reached via the bank involving the smaller number of switches.

7. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch having a movable selective element for operating in intersecting planes means for moving the selective element trom normal resting,I position in one ot said planes responsive to directive control applied over the calling line, means for causing the selective element to opeiate in the other one of said responsive to completing the said movci'nent, and means operated depending upon the e nt ot such directive movement in said one piane for causing the selective element to automatically continue the movement in the initial direction in said one plane.

8. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch having a movable selective element tor operating in intersecting` planes, means ior mov-- ing the selective element from normal restin position in one of said planes responsive to directive control applied over the calling line, means for causing the selective element to operate in the other one of said planes rcsponsive to completing the said movement, and means operated depending upon the eX- tent of such directive movement in said one plane for causing the selective element to automatically continue the inovemeii. in tbc initial direction in said one plane to a predetermined extent ot movement with relation to its said normal restiu position.

9. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch having a movable selective element for operating in intersecting planes, means for moving the selective element trom normal resting` Aposition in one ot said planes responsive to directive control applied over line, means for causing the selective element to operate in the other one oi said planes responsive to completing the said movement, means operated depending upon the extent the calling of such directive movement in said one plane for causing the selective element to automatically continue the movement in said one plane, and means responsive to annexed directive control applied over the calling line ior further moving the selective element in fthe initial direction in said one plane.

10. ln an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch having a movable selective element for operating iii intersecting planes, means for moving the selective element from normal resting position in one of said planes responsive to directive control applied over the calling line, means tor causing the selective element to operate in the other one of said planes responsive to completing the said movement, means operated depending upon the extent of such directive movement in said one plane for causing the selective element to automatically continue the movement in said one plane, and means responsive to annexed directive control applied over the calling' line for further moving the selective element in the initial direction in said one plane and for thereupon causing the selective element to automatically move in the other of said planes responsive to completing` last said movement in said one plane.

ll. ln a telephone system, an automatic selective switch, a wiper of the switch` a primary inagnct for operating the Wiper in a tirst plane in successive steps, a secondary magnet ier operating the wiper in a plane intersecting said tiri/t plane, a line relay for directively operating said primary magnet, an interrupter relay for auton'iatically operating said secondary magnet responsivc to the termination of said directive operation by the primary magnet, and means tor causingl said interruptor relay to alternatively automatically operate the primary magnet in lieu of said secondary magnet responsive to a jlfiredete mined number of steps of the wiper in said lii'st plane.

lf2. ln a telephone sy teni, an automatic selective switch, a wiper oia the switch, a primary magnet for operating the wiper in a lirst plane, a secondary magnet for operating the wiper in a plane intersecting said lirst plane, a line relay for directively operating said primary magnet, an interrupter relay for automatically operating said secondary n'iagnet responsive to the termination of said directive oper tion by tiie primary magnet, means for causing said interrupter relay to alternatively automatically operate the primary magnet in lieu of said secondary magnet rcf-iponsive to a predetermined extent of movement ot' the wiper in said iirst plane, and means for restoringl the interrupter relay in automatic control of the secondary magnet responsive to a predetermined extent of iii ,'ciiieiit oi the wiper in said first plane.

13. In an automatic telephone system, a

vs. and

calling line, an automatic selective switch, a set of common wipers of the switch, a normal resting position for said set ot wipers, a first bank of line terminals positioned successive to said normal resting position, an off-normal resting position t'or said wipers, a second bank of line terminals positioned successive to last said position, means for directively operating the wipers from normal resting position into selective relation with respect to said first bank, automatically applied means for causing the selective switch to hunt for and seize an idle line of the said first bank responsive to last said operation, automatically applied means ior causing the wipers to assume said ofi-normal resting position responsive to a predetermined alternative movement of said wipers from the normal resting position with respect to said first bank and without hunting for a line of said first bank, and means made operative only responsive to the wipers attaining last said assumed position for enabling the wipers to be directively operated into selective relation with respect to second said bank.

14. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch, a set of common wipers of the switch, a normal resting position for said set of wipers, a first bank or" line terminals positioned successive to said normal resting position, an oil-normal resting position tor said wipers, a second bank of line terminals positioned successive to last said position, means for directively moving the wipers from normal resting position into selective relation with respect to said lirst bank responsive to a single automatic directive operation, automatically applied means for causing the selective switch to hunt for and seize an idle line oi' the said first bank responsive to last said operation,

automatically applied means for causing the wipers to assume oil-normal resting position responsive to completinga predetermined alternative movement of said wipers from the normal resting position with respect to said first bank without limiting for a line of said first bank, means made operative only responsive to the wipers attaining last said assumed position for enabling the wipers to be automatically directly7 operated into selective relation with respect to said second bank, and automatically applied means for causing the selective switch to hunt for and seize an idle line of said second bank responsive to last said operation, whereby a line in said first bank is seized responsive to a single directive operation and an automatic operation made responsive to last said directive operation, and whereby a line ot said second bank is seized only responsive to two directive operations and an automatic operation made responsive to last said two directive operations.

15. In an automatic telephone system, a

calling line, an automatic selective switch, a wiper for said switch, means operated over the calling line for directively moving the wiper in one plane and 'for causing the wiper to automatically move in an intersecting plane responsive to said directed movement, means for automatically continuing the movement of the wiper in said one plane in a predetermined extent of automatic movement responsive to a predetermined alternative said directive movement, and means thereafter operated over the calling line for further directively moving the wiper in the initial direction in said one plane a desired extent.

16. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch, a wiper for said switch, means operated over the calling line for directively moving the wiper in one plane and for causing the wiper to automatically move in an intersecting plane responsive to said directed movement, means for automatically continuing the movement of the wiper in said one plane in a predetermined extent of automatic movement responsive to a predetermined alternative said directive movement, means thereafter operated over the calling line for further directively moving the wiper in the initial direction in said one plane a desired extent, and means for thereafter moving the wiper in an intersecting plane to said one plane.

17. ln an automatic telephone system, an automatic selective switch, two groups of trunk lines belonging to different numerical orders terminating in said switch, a wiper of said switch common to the terminals of all said trunk lines7 means for automatically directively operating the wiper of the switch in predetermined extent of movement from normal resting position for causing a trunk line of one ot said groups to be connected to by said wiper responsive to said movement, means operated responsive to automatically directively operating the wiper in an alternative predetermined extent of movement from normal resting position for causing the wiper to automatically advance from its position assumed by last said movement into selective relation to the other of said groups, and means then operative responsive to automatic directive control for further advancing the wiper to cause its connection with the trunk line of the other of said groups.

18. ln an automatic telephone system, an automatic selective switch, two groups of trunk lines belonging to different numerical orders terminating in said switch, a wiper of said switch common to the terminals of all said trunk lines, means for automatically directively operating the wiper of the switch in predetermined extent of movement from normal resting position for causing a trunk line of one of said groups to be connected to by said Wiper responsive yto said movement, means operated responsive to automatically directively operating the wiper in an alternative predetermined extent of movement from normal resting position for causing the wiper to automatically advance from its position assumed by last said movement into selective relation to the other of said groups, means then operative responsive to automatic directive control for further advancing the wiper to cause its connection with the trunk line of the other of said groups, and means forE preventing the wiper from thereafter connecting with the terminals of a trunk line of said groups, if the first said directive operation of the wiper from normal resting position does not correspond to first said or second said predetermined extent of movement.

19. In an automa-tic telephone system, a leading-in line, an automatic selective switch terminating the leading-in line, a trunk line level corresponding to second selectors, a trunk line level corresponding to third selectors, a set of wipers of the switch having common access to said levels, means for causing the set of wipers to move from normal resting position to extend a connection from the leading-in line to a second selector responsive to a single directive operation applied over the leading-in line, and means for causing the set of Wipers to move from normal resting position to extend a connection from the leading-in line to a third .selector responsive to two successive directive operations wherein vthe wipers move only cumulatively from normal resting position.

20. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, a first selector, means including said first selector, a second selector and a connector directively controllable by the subscriber on said line for connecting with a second line, means including said first selector, another second selector, a third selector, and another connector similarly controlled for connectling with a third line, telephone numbers for said second and third lines having the same number of digits, and means for automatically operating said first selector in a cumulative movement from the point to which it .was directively operated in accordance with a digit of a telephone number of the second line when the said second line is being called in order to cancel this digit of the number.

2l. In a telephone system, a calling line,

`an automatic selective switch, a set of wipers of said switch, levels of bank line terminals of the switch commonly accessible from the wipers, trunk lines extending from said terminals, means directively operated over the Y calling line for moving the set of wipers in a definite plane to select only certain of said levels responsive to a single said directive operation, means for causingthe wipers to select only certain of said levels responsive to a plurality of said directive operations,

means for causing the wipers to move over said same plane towards last said certain of said levels in an automatic operation intermediate of the said directive operations, so that the wipers in being directively operated to select last said certain of the levels will move responsive to two directive operations and an automatic operation intermediate of said directive operations.

22. In a telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch, a set of wipers of said switch, levels of bank line terminals of the switch commonly accessible from the wipers, trunk lines extending from said terminals, means directively operated over the calling line for moving the set of wipers in a definite plane to select only certain of said levels responsive to a single said directive operation, means for causing the wipers to select only certain of said levels responsive to a plurality of said directive operations, means for causing the wipers to move over said same plane towards last said certain of said levels in an automatic operation intermediate of the said directive operations, so that the wipers in being directively operated to select last said certain of the levels will move responsive to two directive operations and an automatic operation intermediate of said directive operations and automatic means for causing the set of wipers to hunt along a level it has selected, responsive to said selection being completed.

23. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, a selective switch for terminating the calling line, a set of wipers of the selective switch, numerical order selectors of a first and a second rank accessible from the set of wipers, automatic means operated over the calling line for directing the setting of the wipers in a forward direction into connection with a selector of said first rank responsive to a single directive operation, and means for directing the setting of the wipers into connection with a selector of said second rank responsive to two directive operationsA only, wherein an automatic forward movement operation of the set of wipers occurs intermediate of the directively operated movements responsive to the first of said two directive operations, last said means involving mechanism for causing said automatic operation only in the event the said first directive operation is pertinent to causing said set of wipers to be connected with a selector of said second rank responsive to said two directive operations.

24. In an -automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch, a plurality of blocks of numerically positioned subscribers lines, a plurality of levels of said switch, each one of said levels corresponding to a said block, the numerical position of the in the same number of digits, meansfor extending connection by a train of switches each said switch of the train excepting only the last one being completely operated to link the connection ahead responsive to a single directive operation applied over the calling line, the said last switch being operated to select the line called responsive to two directive operations applied over the calling line, means including said selective switch for extending connection from the calling line to called lines of one of said blocks wherein fewer switches are required to link the connection from the calling line to the said last switch of the train than in calls to lines of other of said blocks, and means in the selective switch forcausing both an initial and an extra advance selective movement of wipers of the latter said switch in a single plane with respect to the said one of said blocks, responsive to directing the operation of sai `ve switch in accordance wit rst digit designating the position a line of said one block, so that in calling lines of said one block the first digit effectuates the same effective progression of the call by the selective switch as eected by a switch successive to the selective switch in calls to lines of other of said blocks.

25. In an automatic telephone system, a calling line, an automatic selective switch, a calling device on the calling line for sending digit series of impulses, levels of bank terminals corresponding to third selectors, a set of wipers of the selective switch commonly accessible to said bank 'terminals, respective called lines reached by said set of wipers through said bank terminals via corresponding said second and said third'selectors, all said called lines having the same number of digits designating their respective numerical location in the system, means for causing said selective switch to extend connection from its set of Wipe-rs to a said second selector responsive to sending a corresponding digit series over the calling line, means for causing said selective switch to extend connection from its set of wipers to a said third selector responsive to sending two corresponding digit series wherein the set of wipers of the selective switch move only cumulatively towards the said third selector, a level of bank terminals corresponding to lines extending a manual operators switchboard, and means for causing the set of wipers of the selective switch to extend connection to one of latter said lines responsive to sending a digit series corresponding to a said second selector but having a larger digit Value than represented in the bank levels of the selective switch. f

26. In an automatic telephone system7 a selective switch, a set of' wipers of the switch, two banks of terminals vcorresponr'ling to two groups of trunk lines, a normal position of the wipers with respect to each of said two banks, the wiper set being positionedin the @normal positionwith respect to a predetermined one of said banks, means for automatically operating the set of wipers with selective respect to the terminals of said one bank and for thereupon connecting to a terminal of a line of said one bank, and means for causing the wipers to become set in the normal position with respect to the other of said banks it t-he operation of the set of wipers was not in accord with selecting a terminal of a line of said one bank. l

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this twelfth day of May, 1930.

HERBERT M. FRIENDLY. 

